Marker



May 28, 1935. s. SEGELHORST I 2,002,756

MA ER Filed Jan. 24. 1934 INVENTOR v Geo ge -,$e el st BYaxlMA 8M Patented May 28, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE This invention relates to markers and moreparticularly to portable markers for use in connection with road repair work and for other uses where a signal or marker is desired.

One object of this invention is to provide a portable signal or marker thatrmay be subjected to impact without breakage.

Another object is to provide a signal-or marker of a portable type that will move a minimum distance when struck and which will assume an erect position, if it is upset.

Another object is to provide an improved portable signal or marker that is durable and inexpensive to construct.

With the above and other objects in view that will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which the present invention appertains, an illustrative embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawing wherein,

Figure 1 is a view in elevation of an assembled marker shown in its upright positionand in an inclined unstable position in dotted outline;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the marker shown in Fig. 1 with the flag removed;

Fig. 3 is a section taken along the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is an elevational view, partly cut away, to show a coil spring support that is imbedded within a portion of the stafi of the flag portion of the marker.

The preferred form of marker which is particularly useful in connection with road repair work and other work where a portable marker is desired, and shown in the accompanying drawing, comprises a base I and a removable standard consisting of a signal flag 2 or other indicating means.

The base I of the marker is of molded rubber compound and comprises a semi-spherical lower portion 3 and a substantially frusto-conical upper portion 4, which are preferably molded together. An aperture 5 of suitable diameter is formed axially through the vertexof the frustoconical upper portion 4 of the base I to firmly grip the stafl that supports the flag 2. The aperture 5 has a groove 6 adjacent its lower end.

The aperture 5 opens into an upper internal cavity 1 formed in the upper portion of the base I of the marker and is separated from a lower cavity 8 by an internal partition 9 which issubstantially normal to the axis of the frusto-conical upper portion 4 and which is integral therewith. An axial post I is formed within the lower cavity 8 integrally with the partition 9 and the lower portion 3 of the base I.

An annular weight I I, preferably of cast iron or other suitable material, is positioned within the lower cavity 8 and encircles the post I0.

A ring flange I2 is disposed externally of the frusto-conical upper portion 4 of the marker and is of suitable dimensions and is properly positioned with respect to the center of gravity of the marker for preventing the marker from remaining on its side'after being struck or knocked over. The ring flange I2 also serves as an impact member and as a contact member on collision of the 10 marker with a moving article or with the supporting surface.

A plurality of externally positioned flanges I3 are disposed normal to the ring I2 and externally of the base 2 of the marker. The flanges I3 preferably extend from the ring flange I2 to a substantially circular bottom portion I4 of the marker and preferably have their radially outermost parts at substantially the junction of the upper portion 4 and the lower portion 3 of the base I of the marker. Each flange I3 preferably extends radially outwardly a sufficient distance to prevent rolling of the marker when struck and to assist in returning the marker to its upright position.

A plurality of buttons I5 are preferably provided on the bottom I4 of the base I and are of sufiicient height to support the bottom I4 of the base I out of contact with fresh paint, tar, or the like that may be applied on the surface on which the marker is used.

The signal flag 2 comprises a staff I6 which preferably contains a coil spring I! or other reinforcing means embedded within the same and which extends from the lower end of the staff I6 upwardly thereof to prevent sagging of the flag. 5 A shoulder is formed adjacent the bottom of the staff I6 by the junction of an undercut portion that forms a groove, I8 and a substantially conical portion I9 that forms the lower extremity of the staif. The groove I8 permits displacement 4 of the rubber forming the flange when the stafi of the flag is inserted in the base. The flag 2 may be of any suitable color or shape.

The material from which the base I and the flag 2 are made is preferably a tough and resilient 5 rubber and the weight II is preferably formed of cast iron, although other material may be used if desired. In forming the article the rubber is molded about the weight II in any suitable manner.

The assembly of the marker is accomplished by wetting the conical portion I9 of the staff I6 for purposes of lubrication and pushing it well down into the aperture 5 in the base I until the shoulder that is formed at the junction of the groove it with the base of the conical portion to of the staif it seats within the groove (5 in the aperture 5.

In use, the marker, which is preferably small, occupies little room in transportation and, upon being dropped at any desirable position, automatically settles itself upon the'buttons i5 which support the bottom it of the marker base slightly above the supporting surface.

When the marker is used as a road signal, an impact caused by a passing vehicle striking against the marker may thrust it to one side or the other of its original position and may even pass over the road marker, pressing the marker against the surface of the road without injury to either the marker or the vehicle. The resilient rubber surface of the marker provides a maximum friction against the surface of the road, thereby causing a minimum displacement of the marker upon being struck by passing trafiic. The marker, by reason of the flanges l3 and weight after being knocked over will immediately assume an upright position.

Furthermore, it is to be understood that the particular form of marker and the elements going in to make up its structure that are shown and described herein are presented for purposes of explanation and illustration and that various modifications in both the base of the road marker and in the traffic signals carried by the base may be altered without departing from. the invention as defined in the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A portable marker comprising a base of resilient deformable material, a weight within said base near the lower portion thereof, said base having a cavity above said weight, and a resilient flag supporting staff carried by said base.

' i a inona aooavse having an internal cavity in the base thereof, a semi-spherical lower portion and a frustoconical upper portion, a nag releasably held by the base. a weight enclomd within the lower portion of said cavity and an interior partition separating the interior of said semi-spherical lower portion of said base and from said frustoconical upper portion.

6. A marker, comprising a base formed of resilient rubber and containing an upper cavity and a. lower cavity, a peripherally disposed ring formed integrally with said base and positioned exteriorly of said upper cavity, a weight permanently positioned within said lower cavity, and a flag member carried by said base.

7. A marker comprising a molded rubber base having a semi-spherical lower portion and a frustoconical upper portion, a weight embedded in said lower portion, said frustoconical portion being hollow and deformable and having a staff receiving aperture, and a removable, deformable staff fitting within said aperture.

8. A marker comprising a molded rubber base having a semi-spherical lower portion and a frustoconical upper portion, a weight embedded in said lower portion, said frustoconical portion being hollow and deformable and having a staff receiving aperture, and a removable, deformable stafi fitting within said aperture, said staff and aperture having interlocking shoulder and groove portions. 5,

9. A marker comprising a molded rubber base having a semi-spherical lower portion and a frustoconical upper portion, a weight embedded in said lower portion, said frustoconical portion being hollow and deformable and having a stall receiving aperture, and a removable, deformable staff fitting within said aperture, said staff and Wtltillt having interlocking shoulder and groove 

